Chongqing - At this year’s WCIFIT, Hong Kong took center stage as the Guest City of Honor for the first time—reflecting its deepening economic ties with western China. Seven new Chongqing–Hong Kong cooperation projects were signed during the event, spanning areas such as IPO consulting and green finance.
“There are many Hong Kong-based financial and other professional services involved in this round of agreements, which can collaborate deeply with Chongqing’s manufacturing and modern service industries,” said Lam Chi-ying, Supervisor and Chairman of the Independent Directors Committee of the Listed Companies Association of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Deputy to the National People’s Congress from the Hong Kong SAR.
As one of the signing guests, Zhang Jiabin, President of the Chongqing Institute of Western Green Finance, said, “We have signed a cooperation agreement with the Listed Companies Association of the Greater Bay Area. Through this partnership, we will provide strong financing channels and greater convenience for Chongqing enterprises to issue green cross-border bonds in Hong Kong—helping them expand globally via Hong Kong.”
In fact, taking advantage of the WCIFIT platform, the Hong Kong delegation organized visits by several financial institutions and industry professionals to Chongqing, where they toured various districts and government departments.
“Many of our Hong Kong colleagues had never been to Chongqing before. This visit really opened their eyes—they were impressed by the high quality of local enterprises and the strong demand for capital operations," said Gao Xiaorong, President of the Greater Bay Area Human Resources and Management Association and head of the delegation.
"The trip was incredibly rewarding, and I’m very optimistic and confident that financial and professional collaboration between Hong Kong and Chongqing will continue to flourish," added Gao.
Driven by the "Lion Rock Spirit," Hong Kong entrepreneurs have long played a key role in China’s reform and opening-up. As Hong Kong becomes the city’s top source of foreign investment and second-largest trading partner, more investors are heading west in search of new opportunities. Why are they choosing Chongqing? What do they see in the region? Bridging News spoke with two Hong Kong entrepreneurs who are now living and building their businesses in Chongqing to hear their stories firsthand.